A Tanzanian portrait artist accused of burning a photo of the president Samia Suluhu Hassanwas sentenced to two years in prison or a $2,000 (£1,600) fine after being found guilty of cybercrime.
Shadrack Chaula was arrested for allegedly recording a viral video showing him burning a photo of President Hassan while verbally insulting her.
The 24-year-old painter admitted to having committed the crime and was unable to defend his actions in court.
His arrest sparked legal controversy, with some lawyers saying no laws were broken by burning the image.
Some social media users have started an online campaign to raise money to pay Chaula’s fine so he can be released from prison.
In 2018, Tanzania enacted tough laws against the spread of “fake news,” which critics see as restricting freedom of expression.
Police said Chaula used “strong words” against the president in the video he posted on his TikTok account on June 30 in Ntokela village in the southwestern town of Mbeya.
Local police chief Benjamin Kuzaga told journalists on Tuesday that the artist’s crimes included burning the president’s portrait and disseminating offensive content online.
“It is not part of the culture of the Mbeya people to insult our national leaders,” said Kuzaga.
Some lawyers have said there is no law that criminalizes burning a photo of the president.
“Was the photo taken by a government photographer? Let them come out publicly and explain their impact on society and the nation. Who can show the law that burning an image is an offense?” lawyer Philip Mwakilima told Mwananchi newspaper.
But the act, considered unethical in Tanzania, sparked public outrage.
On Thursday, Magistrate Shamla Shehagilo found Chaula guilty of distributing videos on TikTok that contained false information, violating the country’s cyber laws.
The court ruled that his actions constituted cyber harassment and incitement.
Chaula remained silent when given the opportunity to defend himself against the allegations, local media reported.
The prosecutor urged the court to impose a severe sentence on him in order to dissuade others from “disrespecting” the president.
The case has sparked a debate in the country, with critics saying the sentence is too harsh and a reflection of the government’s crackdown on dissent.
President Hassan, who came to power in 2021, introduced reforms that opened political and civic spaces.
But the opposition and human rights groups have expressed concern that the country is returning to retrograde policies.
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